Among its many claims to fame is that the Dulwich Picture Gallery was the first purpose-built public art gallery in England and it is one of Sir John Soane’s architectural masterpieces. It houses a very fine collection of European and British paintings, which is augmented with special temporary exhibitions.

David Hockney, Self Portrait, 1954, Lithograph in Five Colors, 11 1/2 x 10 1/4″
Edition: 5 (approximately) © David Hockney

The special exhibitions this year kick off with Hockney, Printmaker (5 February – 11 May 2014), a show that marks the 60^th anniversary of Hockney’s first print and encompasses all his styles and output, including his computer drawings.  It will focus particularly on his lithographs and etchings showing his skill as a printmaker. Portraits and complete sets will be included.  A great treat indeed.

David Hockney, Rain on the Studio Window, From My Yorkshire Deluxe Edition, 2009, Inkjet printed computer drawing on paper, 22 x 17″, An edition of 75, with 25 H.C.

This is followed by Art and Life: Ben Nicholson, Winifred Nicholson, Christopher Wood, Alfred Wallis, William Staite Murray, 1920 – 1931 (4 June – 21 September 2014) which takes us on a ten year voyage that the Nicholson’s pursued from London to Switzerland, Cumberland and Cornwall, during which we follow their evolution as painters – her use of colour and Ben’s depiction of form and movement.  It also shows for the first time this group of artists in context to each other and their artistic exchange over the ten year period.

Winifred Nicholson, Cyclamen and Primula, c.1922-3, oil on paper / board, 50 x 55 cm, Kettle’s Yard / © Kettle’s Yard / Trustees of Winifred Nicholson

Ben Nicholson, 1921 – circa 1923 (Cortivallo, Lugano), Oil on canvas, 43 x 60 cm, Tate, London 2013 © Angela Verren Taunt 2013. All rights reserved, DACS, Photo © Tate, London 2013

Then in the late autumn is Painting Canada 2: Emily Carr and the Indigenous Art of the Northwest Coast (1 November 2014 – 22 February 2015) a fitting celebration of this pioneering Canadian artist who is now widely recognised as the leading painter in 20^th century British Columbian art.  The exhibition follows her from 1912-1939 and includes her early sketch books and drawings, which feature important depictions of indigenous art, dark forest scenes and her later light-filled beach and sky scenes.

Emily Carr, Totem and Forest, 1931, oil on canvas, 129.3 x 56.2 cm, Collection of the Vancouver Art Gallery, Emily Carr Trust, VAG 42.3.1, Photo: Trevor Mills, Vancouver Art

Emily Carr, Untitled (Seascape), 1935, Oil on paper mounted on board, 26.5 x 40.5 cm, The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

http://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk